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Common Name: Laurel Magnolia

General Information

Magnolia virginiana is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 10.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eastern N. America - Massachusetts to Florida, west to Missouri and Tennessee.

Habitat

Wet acid sandy barrens and swamps at low elevations[, ]. Swamps, bays, low wet woods, savannahs; chiefly in coastal plain and lower piedmont from sea level to 540 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Beetles
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny sheltered position in a deep soil that does not dry out in the summer[]. Plants are also tolerant of wet soils[]. Succeeds in acid or neutral soils in sun or part shade[]. Dislikes limey soils[]. Tolerates some alkalinity so long as there is at least 50cm of good soil above the alkaline layer[]. The branches are brittle so a sheltered position is required[]. Plants are very tolerant of atmospheric pollution[].
Mature dormant plants are hardy to about -20°c but the flowers are easily damaged by frost or wind.[]. A warmth-loving species, it is best grown in the south and east of Britain[].
The fleshy roots are easily damaged and any transplanting is best done during a spell of mild moist weather in late spring[].
A slow growing tree but it flowers whilst young[]. The flowers have a delicious scent of lemons[].
A number of cultivars have been developed for their ornamental value.

Edible Uses

The leaves are used as a condiment in gravies etc[].
A tea is made from the leaves[].

Medicinal

A tea made from the bark is antiperiodic, aromatic, diaphoretic, laxative, stimulant and tonic[, ]. It has historically been used as a substitute for quinine in the treatment of malaria[, ] and is also taken internally in the treatment of colds, bronchial diseases, upper respiratory tract infections, rheumatism and gout[, ]. The bark has been chewed by people trying to break the tobacco habit[]. The bark is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[]. It does not store well so stocks should be renewed annually[].
A tea made from the fruit is a tonic, used in the treatment of general debility and was formerly esteemed in the treatment of stomach ailments[].
The leaves or bark have been placed in cupped hands over the nose and inhaled as a mild hallucinogen[].

Other Uses

An essential oil from the flowers has been used in the manufacture of perfumes[].
Wood - straight-grained, light, soft, easily worked, finishes well, aromatic and yellow in colour[, , , ]. It weighs 31lb per cubic foot[]. Used for furniture, broom handles, bowls and light woodenware articles etc[, , , ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed must be kept cold over the winter and should be sown in late winter in a cold frame[]. The seed usually germinates in the spring but it can take 18 months. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse for at least their first winter. They can be planted out into their permanent positions when they are more than 15cm tall, though should be well mulched and given some protection from winter cold for their first winter or two outdoors.
Layering in early spring[].